"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). I'm launching a brand new series on the Gospel of John with Pat Flynn, but we each recorded the first chapter separately. Stay tuned for future episodes of PolyPat where we will go chapter by chapter through the Gospel and give our reflections.
Pat and Eric have consecrated themselves to St. Joseph. In this episode we talk about that experience and give highlights from Fr. Don Calloway's book, "Consecration to St. Joseph." Link to book: https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/
Euchoetry.com is officially launched! What is Euchoetry? Euchoetry is an invitation to encounter God, a movement of beauty, and a new form of writing. Euchoetry is derived from two words: Eucharist and poetry. The Eucharist is Jesus Christ himself under the appearance of bread and wine. It is the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Because the Eucharist is Jesus and Jesus is God, all people are invited to worship and adore Christ in the Eucharist. Being in the presence of the C...
2020 was a weird year to say the least. Much suffering has occurred globally with the pandemic, lockdowns, and political upheaval. Pat and Eric process 2020 and then look forward to 2021. Will 2021 be better or worse?
Polycarp's Paradigm had a good year despite the craziness of 2020. More downloads, more guests, more glory! In this episode, I summarize the different podcasts and series I've done just in case you didn't listen to all of them. This will whet your appetite to go back and listen to some episodes you may have skipped!
What is the Church? This is a fundamental question that must be answered, not in vague terms, but in clear historical and theological terms so that real Christian unity can be sought after. Eric's new book on Amazon: "Visible Unity: A Calling of Christ for the Church" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVGHGJ5/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=8-1
As we close out our conversation about visible unity, here are some more saints who inspire us to foster unity in our time. The seven saints included in this episode are: St Silas (1st century), St. Ignatius of Antioch (AD 107), St. Justin de Jacobis (1860), St. Cyprian of Carthage (258), St. Leo II (683), St. Gregory Barbarigo (1697), Blessed Liduina Meneguzzi (1941).
Conspiracy theories abound in 2020 as this strange year makes for fertile ground for these theories to blossom. As Christians, what are we to make of all of these conspiracies? Bill Vanderbush, a Protestant preacher, helps us rise above these theories and focus our attention on the kingdom of God. Bill's website: https://billvanderbush.com/
Do different denominations all preach the same Gospel? Not really. Visible disunity gravely damages the Christian witness throughout the world both because of mixed messaging and deprivations in sacramental grace. Nothing less is at stake in this conversation about visible unity than the salvation of mankind. It is time for all people to come into full communion with the Catholic Church! Book on Amazon: "Visible Unity: A Calling of Christ for the Church"
We've all heard of "the problem of evil" posed as an objection to God's existence, but Pat and Eric uncover how the obvious presence of evil and suffering points to God's existence and the solution found in the Gospel of Christ crucified and risen.
A mystical union has formed between Christ and the Church. To honor one is to honor the other, to dishonor one is to dishonor the other. To separate Christ from the Church is to divorce Bridegroom from Bride, it means decapitating the Body of Christ. The theological ramifications of visible disunity are immensely weighty. Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Visible-Unity-Calling-Christ-Church-ebook/dp/B08MBD4D6W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S1LMSWOKSIEI&dchild=1&keywords=visible+unity+a+calling+of+...
Dr. Matthew Ramage, associate professor of Theology at Benedictine College and adjunct professor of Sacred Scripture at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, joins Pat and Eric to discuss Christian Unity (ecumenism). We talk about the similarities and differences between the Orthodox Church, Protestant communities, and other religions in relation to the Catholic Church. What is the true goal of ecumenism? What is false ecumenism? How can we live more ecumenical lives without falling into a false r...
What is the Church? How do we know that the Catholic Church is the Church Jesus started and sustains? Drawing from the Old and New Testament and going beyond the Bible to the early disciples of the Faith, I demonstrate the answers to these fundamental questions. Eric's new book "Visible Unity: A Calling of Christ for the Church": https://www.amazon.com/Visible-Unity-Calling-Christ-Church-ebook/dp/B08MBD4D6W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S1LMSWOKSIEI&dchild=1&keywords=visible+unity+a+calling+of+christ...
Join Pat and Eric from Nov 25 - Dec 27 as we prepare to consecrate ourselves to St. Joseph on the feast of the Holy Family, Dec 27, 2020! What does it mean to consecrate oneself? What does it mean to be devoted to St. Joseph? Why are we doing this and why are we encouraging everyone to do it? Find out on this episode. Fr. Don Calloway's book, "Consecration to St. Joseph." Link: https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/ Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Consecration-St-Joseph-Wonders-Spiritual/dp...
My new book, "Visible Unity: A Calling of Christ for the Church," is now available on Amazon! Today I go over why this topic is so important to me and why it undergirds my mission to draw all people into full communion with the Catholic Church. Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Visible-Unity-Calling-Christ-Church-ebook/dp/B08MBD4D6W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S1LMSWOKSIEI&dchild=1&keywords=visible+unity+a+calling+of+christ+for+the+church&sprefix=visible+unity%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1...
K. Albert Little from "The Cordial Catholic" Podcast interviews Eric about his book, "Thoughts of a Sacramental Mind." Together they discuss the seven sacraments and why a sacramental worldview is so necessary and so different from their evangelical background. Link to The Cordial Catholic: http://podcast.thecordialcatholic.com/
Third installment of our series on saints who promoted Christian unity: St. Antony Kauleas (901), St. Hilda of Whitby (680), St. Leo I (461), Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1916), St. Catherine of Siena (1380), St. Leopold Bogdan Mandic (1942).
Pat and Eric grill each other yet again. Here are the 6 questions discussed: 1) Why do arguments for God's existence matter? 2) What is divine simplicity and why does it matter? 3) What are your thoughts about intelligent design arguments? 4) What are some near-death experiences that you have heard of? 5) What is Church unity and why does it matter? 6) What are your current thoughts about predestination?
Second round of stories about saints who promoted Christian unity: Sts. Cyril & Methodius (855), St. Vincent Ferrer (1419), St. Bernardine of Siena (1444), St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1942), Blessed Anton Martin Slomsek (1862), St. Nicholas of Tolentino (1305).
In our hedonistic society wherein pleasure is put forth as the ultimate goal, our sexual ethics have been totally obscured. In this episode we talk about the philosophical underpinnings of morality in general and of sexuality in particular. We cover sodomy, contraception, true sexual freedom, and a whole host of issues regarding sex.
To honor the saints who have gone before us and in preparation for my new book coming out on "visible unity," I am doing a short series on the stories of saints who promoted Christian unity. May we all be inspired to draw all people into full communion with the Catholic Church! Saints covered in this first episode are: St. Josaphat (1623), Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu (1939), Blessed Nazju Falzon (1865), Saint Elisabeth Hesselblad (1957), St. Peter Canisius (1597).
The Catholic Church is adamantly pro-life and clearly states that we cannot vote for laws that promote abortion. Does this mean Catholics cannot vote for a pro-choice candidate? Can a Catholic vote for a Democrat? These are some of the questions Pat and Eric tackle in this episode.
The last set of mysteries of the Rosary are the Glorious Mysteries. The meditations get very fun and creative toward the end and always catch me up into the heavens. Please join me in praying and meditating upon the Glorious Mysteries. Glorious Mysteries: Resurrection of Jesus, Ascension of Christ, Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (body and soul), Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Recently, Dr. Jerry Walls was on Cameron Bertuzzi's YouTube channel, Capturing Christianity, and presented, in his opinion, the strongest argument against Catholicism. Pat and Eric team up with Gary Michuta, from Hands on Apologetics, to tackle this objection having to do with the early papacy and what modern Catholic scholars have to say about it. Link to Cameron and Walls video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgtyTtGlGrQ&t=2341s Link to Trent Horn's rebuttal video: https://www.youtube.com...
On Tuesdays and Fridays we meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary where we see Jesus going through immense suffering leading to his crucifixion and then death on the cross. Sorrowful Mysteries: Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying the Cross, The Crucifixion. Please join me in praying and meditating upon these sacred mysteries of our salvation.
Pat and Eric discuss the spiritual and physical benefits of fasting in this episode. Pat wrote a book on the physical benefits of fasting called "Fast Diets for Dummies." Now that he is Catholic fasting has taken on a spiritual dimension that Pat hadn't considered before. Link to Pat's book: https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Diets-Dummies-Kellyann-Petrucci/dp/1118775082/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=fast+diets+for+dummies&qid=1601329854&sr=8-3
Today we meditate together on the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. I take you through my own meditations as we pray together. Luminous Mysteries: Baptism of the Lord, Wedding at Cana, Proclaiming the Kingdom of God, Transfiguration, Institution of the Eucharist.
How do we understand God's command for the Israelites to slaughter the men, women, and children of the Amalekites? What does the Bible say about slavery? Is the Old Testament depiction of God different than the New Testament? Dr. Mark Giszczak, a Bible scholar and teacher from the Augustine Institute, helps us wade the waters of these "dark passages" of Scripture. Dr. G's website: https://catholicbiblestudent.com/ Dr. G's Book: "Light on the Dark Passages of Scripture": https://www.amazon.com/Li...
Praying the Rosary is a way to enter into the drama of Scriptures and the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary. Today I walk you through what I meditate on with each of the Joyful Mysteries and invite you to meditate and pray with me. Joyful Mysteries: Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Christ, Presentation, Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple. All for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus All through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary All in union with St. Joseph....
Fr. Don Calloway has written 6 books on the Rosary. In this episode Pat and Eric reflect on the rich history and importance of the Rosary with Fr. Calloway. We also give a good introduction to the Rosary and practical tips to help pray the Rosary either as an individual or as a family. Resources: https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/ http://www.fathercalloway.com/
